Owned by Romilly McAlpine, the estranged wife of Lord McAlpine, former treasurer of the Conservative Party, it featured clothes from the period 1986 to 1996.

Pauline Rushton, curator of costumes and textiles who helped put together the display, said: "In the show we looked at just one person's collection yet even then you could see the innovation of her design.

"Vivienne Westwood made a massive impact with her punk clothing but has become more mainstream, winning designer of the year twice.

"She is an innovator on the outside edge and even now creates designs that are unlike anyone else's."

There are Vivienne Westwood stores in Manchester and Leeds.

A spokesman for Cavern Walks said it was too early in negotiations to comment.